Comments on: Who’s Afraid of the HealthCare Wolf?

By: Trusted.MD Network

Trusted.MD Network — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 01:45:34 +0000

Grand rounds: Anniversary edition

By: AmyT

AmyT — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:56:01 +0000

Wow, Jolene, who said anything about a government-run program? And why so bullish?

By: Jolene

Jolene — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:11:47 +0000

Sorry you guys are so afraid to loose health “insurance”, but I’m afraid some of the forced options being thrown around out there scare me more. If you really believe that a government run health insurance program is going to benefit you — spend a year in the military system where you have no choice of doctor, no choice of medications, no options at all but what “they” say you are to have, and if you don’t agree — too bad.

By: joanna

joanna — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 11:55:21 +0000

It seems like its always those who do not have a chronic diease like diabetes who tell us what we can and cant do !

By: Jim Paige

Jim Paige — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:57:41 +0000

Unfortunately, you are only a “lay-off” away from being thrown into the healthcare nightmare that diabetics face…

By: Frank Varon DDS

Frank Varon DDS — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:37:10 +0000

As a dentist focusing on diabetes care issues, I share many of the frustrations that most people in healthcare see with the reimbursement process and the institutions that control it. REMEMBER THIS: THE NUMBER ONE REASON FOR PEOPLE FILING BANKRUPTCY IS BECAUSE OF HEALTHCARE EXPENSES.

This country should be ashamed of how we have treated people like cattle and when they get to the right age, send them to the slaughter house.

I know this will be harsh but I feel at times (when the glass is half full) that we are in the middle of a medical holocaust. If you get sick, to hell with you. but I still want your money. Reimbursement for many procedures continues to drop while the govt makes statements that healthcare expenses go up by some ridiculous %. they seem to be including the double digit increases in health insurance premiums. As I tell my agent, I wouldn’t be in business if I had double digit increases year in and year out.

By: RichW

RichW — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:26:45 +0000

I have a great idea. Make all insurance companies non-profits. Could do the same for pharmaceutical companies. In a perfect world, those companies that contribute to the common good would be willing to provide insurance and medications at a cost no more than what it takes to stay in business. Now who would responsible for “making” an industry non-profit?

By: Dina Hayes

Dina Hayes — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:19:55 +0000

I also have Oxford and it’s just the opposite. I’ve bought both Novolog & Humalog in the past year and my copay for Novolog is more expensive than Humalog…that seems arbitrary.

By: CrazyACpumper

CrazyACpumper — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:46:48 +0000

In response to Michelle:

How do we do it? We don’t most of the time. We call our doctors and ask for help. We ask for samples and consistently explain the same thing over and over again:

(in my case)
I now have no insurance. Because of lapses in insurance coverage and prescription needs, I am broke. I had to rethink my career path now I work from home. Unfortunately my job does not offer health insurance right now. I have applied to programs via the state I live in. I have not heard anything, they could take another 2 months to decide for all I know. In the meantime, I have looked into this program and that, I have not heard back. What can you do to help? I have no money and I NEED insulin, test strips, insets and cartridges….etc etc etc.

This is what I have gone through for the past 5 months. And as of recent (past two weeks) I was denied left and right because I make too much money at my part time job. The last option the state offers does not cover dental, vision or durable medical equipment (pump supplies). And since there as been a lapse in continuous insurance coverage, there would be a waiting period because I have a pre-existing condition.

The other part we do, we advocate. We research and gather data. We organize and prepare. It is a worthy project but in the meantime my immediate needs are not being met. How does this make any sense? It doesn’t. It is a sad state of affairs.

If you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will. (unfortunately the state I live in does not offer good options for a Type 1 Diabetic)

Scott is right, it is time to do something about it!!!!!

By: jim

jim — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:32:12 +0000

I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have health insurance through my wife’s job. I couldn’t afford my supplies and medications. The thought just freaks me out.